Karnataka to host India’s first private helicopter plant; Tata-Airbus H125 to soar by 2027


Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 4: In a historic boost to India’s aviation and defence sector, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and European aerospace major Airbus have announced that Vemagal in Karnataka’s Kolar district will host the country’s first private-sector helicopter final assembly line (FAL). The plant will manufacture Airbus’s globally renowned single-engine H125 helicopters, with the first ‘Made-in-India’ H125 set to roll out by early 2027.

The project was originally announced on Republic Day 2024 during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India. After evaluating eight potential sites, Vemagal was chosen as the preferred location, marking a significant milestone in India’s aerospace manufacturing journey.

The H125, primarily a civil helicopter, will also be produced in its military variant, the H125M, which Airbus has described as an ideal replacement for the ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters currently used by the Indian armed forces.

“India is an ideal helicopter country. The ‘Made-in-India’ H125 will develop new civil and para-public markets while meeting the armed forces’ need for a light multi-role helicopter, especially in the Himalayan regions,” said Jürgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia.

Sukaran Singh, CEO and MD of TASL, said, “Tata Advanced Systems is proud to be the first private-sector company in India to build helicopters. This strengthens our partnership with Airbus and meets both civil and defence requirements.”

The Vemagal facility will be Airbus’s fourth H125 production line worldwide after France, the United States and Brazil, with an initial annual production capacity of 10 helicopters. The helicopters manufactured in India will adhere to the same global processes and standards as Airbus’s flagship plant in Marignane, France, and will carry the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification.

The Tata-Airbus partnership is expected to reshape India’s civil helicopter market, which currently lags behind global standards, and to position the country as a regional hub for civil and defence helicopter production.

  

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Title: Karnataka to host India’s first private helicopter plant; Tata-Airbus H125 to soar by 2027



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